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This irresistible Vegan Apple Crisp has warm, gooey apples and a golden oat-streusel topping! Made with simple plant-based ingredients, this comforting dessert is the perfect treat.
Why I Love This Recipe
Looking for a delicious dessert that no one will know is plant-based? This vegan apple crisp will do the trick! Crisps and crumbles are simple to make into vegan treats, and this one is an absolute flavor explosion.
Juicy, caramelized apples mingle with a golden oat topping, and are topped with melty vanilla ice cream; it’s truly sensational. In fact, I like this one even better than my standard apple crisp recipe!
Ingredient Notes
Crisps and crumbles work well transformed into vegan desserts. In fact, most people wouldn’t even guess this one is plant-based! Vegan butter and coconut oil work beautifully as substitutes for butter in a crumble. Here are a few notes about the ingredients:
- Vegan butter: Vegan butter works well as a substitute for butter, and is easy to find in US grocery stores (I like Miyokos brand). Coconut oil can work as a substitute, too. I recommend using refined coconut oil for a more subtle coconut flavor.
- All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour is my go-to, but for gluten-free, almond flour works great. Check out my Gluten-Free Apple Crisp.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: Use whole rolled oats for the best crisp texture; avoid instant oats here.
- Brown sugar and granulated sugar: Using a mix of sugar types adds nuance to the flavor.
- Cinnamon, ginger, and allspice: This mix of cozy spices brings in a warm, comforting flavor.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps to thicken the filling. As a substitute, try arrowroot powder.
- Lemon juice and zest: Citrus accentuates the fruit flavors, like salt does for savory foods. Don’t omit the lemon if possible. It really adds to the flavor here!
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract adds the final nuance to the sweet flavor.
- Sweet-tart, crisp-cooking apples: Tart apples are key. Keep reading for my favorite apple types.
Best Apples for This Vegan Apple Crisp
Which apples work best for this apple crisp recipe? Use firm, crisp, sweet tart cooking apples. The acidity from a tart apple makes the sweet flavor pop. A firm texture is also helpful since the apples hold their shape when baking instead of becoming mushy.
Avoid varieties like Gala, Fuji, or Red Delicious; they don’t perform well in crisps and crumbles. Here are some varieties that shine in this vegan apple crisp recipe:
- Pink Lady
- Honeycrisp
- Golden Delicious
- Granny Smith
- Jonathon or Jonagold
- Ida Red
Vegan Apple Crumble Variation
You can also make this into a vegan apple crumble recipe! Simply follow the instructions for the topping in this apple crumble recipe, which omits the oats for the classic crumble feel. Use vegan butter in place of the standard butter, and it comes together like a charm.
Love vegan baking? Make sure to check out this fan-favorite Vegan Apple Pie.
How to Serve It
Vegan apple crisp is a great dessert for any season. While it’s often served in fall or winter, it’s great in summer, too! Like most crisps, the best topping is vanilla ice cream. The contrast of rich cream against the fruit filling is sublime! It’s pretty easy to find vegan ice cream at most well-stocked grocery stores in the US. Or you can make it homemade! The best options for topping vegan apple crisps are:
- Vanilla ice cream: Purchased or homemade vegan ice cream
- Whipped cream: Homemade vegan whipped cream
Storing Leftovers
This crisp tastes best the day it is baked, but the crisp texture holds up well over time. Here are the best practices for how to store a crisp:
- Keep it loosely covered at room temperature for 1 to 2 days. Keeping it loosely covered helps to maintain the crumble texture.
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days. It holds up well in the fridge, and tastes even better when reheated.
- Freeze up to 3 months. Freeze for up to 3 months in a sealed container. Reheat it in a 350°F oven until bubbly.
Dietary Notes
This vegan apple crisp recipe is vegetarian, dairy-free, plant-based, and vegan. For gluten-free, use almond flour.
Vegan Apple Crisp
This irresistible vegan apple crisp has warm, gooey apples and a golden oat-streusel topping! Made with simple plant-based ingredients, this comforting dessert is the perfect treat.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Dessert
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet tart, crisp cooking apples, about 6 cups (4 large or 6 medium)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¾ cup all purpose flour (almond flour for gluten-free)
- ¾ cup Old Fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 tablespoons cold vegan butter (or refined coconut oil), cut into pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Make the filling: Core, peel and thinly slice the apples. In a large bowl, combine the apples with the lemon juice, lemon zest, cornstarch, granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, the ginger, and allspice in a large bowl and toss until well coated. Pour it into a 9 x 9 inch baking dish or 7 x 11 inch baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, make the crumble topping: stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, and kosher salt. Add the vanilla and stir. Cut the butter into small pieces and add it to the bowl. Use a pastry cutter or fork to mix it into the dry ingredients until fully distributed and a crumbly dough forms. It may take a while, so be patient; mix until all butter chunks are incorporated.
- Evenly distribute the crumble over the top of the apples, breaking the topping into small crumbles as you add it.
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until browned and bubbly. Cool for 1 hour. Then serve with vanilla ice cream. Stores refrigerated for 3 days or freeze up to 3 months in a sealed container. Reheat it in a 350°F oven until bubbly and the topping is crisp.
